To Lady Isabella Walham, Gleve House

[Sent at the same time as Lady Saltash's RSVP, but in its own wrapper]

Dear Bella,

Your mother is, of course, quite correct. Next Saturday is perfectly acceptable, as you will gather from my mother's acceptance of Lady Gleve's invitation. Should Major Vickery wear his regimentals, or would your brother prefer him to wear civilian dress so that he may do likewise?

I do not think that I have looked forward quite so much to leaving Town - altho' it is probably terribly bad of me to admit so. As for my music, I have Beethoven, altho' you may have your own collection of his work. I also have Mozart, and one or two very pretty pieces by Pachelbel which are quite old, but no less pretty for their age. I may also have some of Handel's pianoforte compositions.

I look forward to seeing you again soon,

yours sincerely
Emma V

Dear Emma,

please bring the Pachelbel! Do you have a version of his Canon in D for four hands by any chance? From Handel I have some arias we might try, and I have some very pretty songs by Haydn and a few of his piano pieces.
Please tell the Major to wear whatever he likes more - Edward won't mind either way - though the regimentals are very handsome!

Mama has allowed me to plan the dinner, so please tell me: Does your family like game more or roasted beef? We can have fresh wild ducks, but some people don't like the strong flavour, and I can always make it a side dish and add some lamb. Our cook does wonderful creams for desert, but if you would prefer something different, she also does a wonderful dark flambéed nut cake.

Yours sincerely,

Bella

Dear Bella,

Pachelbel's Canon in D for four hands? I do not believe I do, but I shall certainly look through my music, and if it transpires I do not, I shall see if I can procure it before leaving Town.

My brother has just read your note over my shoulder (I shall scold him for it later, you may be sure!) and I am to inform you that 'so long as it is not rabbit and beef stew, he will be very glad of whatever food you choose to put in front of him'. For my part, creams for dessert sound delicious, and I do quite like duck, so that is easy enough for you, I hope? Although I think my mother will not object to lamb.

Your sincerely
Emma V